PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Comma Usage Practice Questions 1

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses commas with an appositive phrase?

Accepted Answer

My sister, Elena, is studying medicine at Harvard.

Answer

My sister, Elena is studying medicine at Harvard.

Answer

My sister Elena, is studying medicine at Harvard.

Answer

My, sister Elena is studying medicine at Harvard.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses commas with a full date written mid-sentence?

Accepted Answer

The treaty was signed on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.

Answer

The treaty was signed on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia.

Answer

The treaty was signed on July, 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.

Answer

The treaty was signed on July 4 1776, in Philadelphia.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses commas with a direct address?

Accepted Answer

Can you please help me, Marcus, with this problem?

Answer

Can you please help me Marcus with this problem?

Answer

Can you please help me, Marcus with this problem?

Answer

Can, you please help me Marcus with this problem?

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses commas around a parenthetical expression?

Accepted Answer

The new policy, in fact, has been very effective.

Answer

The new policy in fact has been very effective.

Answer

The new policy, in fact has been very effective.

Answer

The new policy in fact, has been very effective.

Question 5

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a contrasting element?

Accepted Answer

It was her persistence, not her talent, that won the prize.

Answer

It was her persistence, not her talent that won the prize.

Answer

It was her persistence not, her talent, that won the prize.

Answer

It was, her persistence not her talent that won the prize.

Question 6

Which sentence correctly uses commas between coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

It was a cold, rainy, miserable afternoon.

Answer

It was a cold, rainy miserable afternoon.

Answer

It was a cold rainy, miserable afternoon.

Answer

It was a, cold rainy miserable afternoon.